Which term describes a social position assigned at birth that is not chosen?

Which term describes a social position assigned at birth that is not chosen?

• A. Industrial societies
• B. Age
• C. Ascribed status
• D. Minority group

Answer: (C)

In sociology, some social positions are given to us by birth and cannot be chosen, while others are earned or chosen through actions. The idea being tested is ascribed status: a social position assigned at birth that you do not select. This fits because it describes positions like being born into a family, race or ethnicity, or gender, which are not chosen and often remain influential throughout life. In contrast, many other statuses are achieved through choices or efforts—like becoming a student, an employee, or a leader. The other options don’t capture that sense of a position handed to you by birth and not chosen by yourself: industrial societies describe a type of society, age is simply a measure of time, and a minority group is a category of people who may share characteristics and experiences, not a single birth-based position.

In sociology, some social positions are given to us by birth and cannot be chosen, while others are earned or chosen through actions. The idea being tested is ascribed status: a social position assigned at birth that you do not select. This fits because it describes positions like being born into a family, race or ethnicity, or gender, which are not chosen and often remain influential throughout life. In contrast, many other statuses are achieved through choices or efforts—like becoming a student, an employee, or a leader. The other options don’t capture that sense of a position handed to you by birth and not chosen by yourself: industrial societies describe a type of society, age is simply a measure of time, and a minority group is a category of people who may share characteristics and experiences, not a single birth-based position.